Inking mechanism



A ril 18, 1939. A, TAYLOR 2,154,544

INKING MECHANISM Filed March 5, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet l agmly m ATTORNEYS A. TAYLOR April 18, 1939.

INKING MECHANI SM Filed March 5, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ENTOR W ATTORNEYS lilll.

u n i.

all

arm

Patented Apr. 18, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT orrlcr. Y

INKING MECHANISM Auburn Taylor, Charleston, w. vac assignor to The Goss Printing Press Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application March 5. 1937, Serial No. 128,134

. 21 Claims. (61. lot-cs) The prt invention relates to a novel and improved inking mechanism for rotary printing presses, and more particularly'to a novel and improved inking mechanism or supplementary gyink fountain for use with newspaper and high speed color printing presses.

Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part hereinafter and in part will be obvious herefrom, or may be learned by pracio tice with the invention, the same being realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention consists in the novel parts, con- 15. struction, arrangements, combinations and improvements herein shown and described.

The accompanying drawings, referred to herein and constituting a part hereof, illustrate one embodiment of the invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Figure 1 is a fragmentary vertical section of a typical and illustrative embodiment of the present invention and is taken on the line l-l of Fig. 3;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the supplementary inking mechanism shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

30, Figure 4 is a vertical section taken on the line H of Figure 8;

Figure 51s a fragmentary plan view ofa portion of the vibrating mechanism;

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view of a modi- 85. fled embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 7 is another sectional view of the inkin mechanism shown in Figure 6.

The present invention has for its object the provision of a novel and improved inking device of general application and also particularly adapted for use in connection with rotary newspaper presses such as are commonly used for the printing of colored newspaper supplements. A a

comprises an ink trough mounted on a base by which it may be secured to the press frame adjacent to the distributing drum, this trough being of approximately page length, or slightly longer. Within the trough is rotatably mounted a, a shaft parallel to the distributing drum, and on the shaft are mounted a plurality of spaced apart narrow discs of uniform diameter. These discs dip into the supply of ink contained in the trough and contact with the surface of the ink dmm, in.

so that as the discs are located a small supply of ink is transferred from the trough to the surface of the In order to secure 0 feeding of the ink, and proper regulation of the amount of ink, means are preferably provided is; for removing most of the ink from the sides of the discs and for removing more or less of the ink from the surface of the disc just prior to their contact with the distributing drum. Means are provided for rotating the discs, and to ia- 2o, 4

cilitate the installation and removal of the inking device,-the discs are preferably driven from the surface of the inking drum, as by a narrowfaced roller mounted on the disc-supporting shaft and having frictional contact with an un- 25 inked portion of the distributing drum. For vi-- brating the discs so that all parts of the distributing drum and form will receive a uniform' quantity of ink during several revolutions of the drum, the disc-supporting shaft is axially mov- 3,0

- able and is threaded so as to provide for a slow reciprocation of the shaft and discs as they ro-- tate. In place of discs, other forms of ink applying membersmay be used'such as a helical member of relatively large pitch, and. when this form 85. is used regulation may be obtained by axial shifting of it with respect to a similar helix running in the ink.

It will be lmderstood that the foregoing gen- "eral description and the following detailed de- 40 scription as well are exemplary and explanatory of the invention but are not restrictive thereof.

Referring -now in detail to the illustrative em-' bodiment of the invention as shown-in the ac companying drawings, there is provided the conventional distributing cylinder I 0, of relatively large diameter, which is adapted to receive the ink, distribute it evenly in cooperation with thedistributing rollers, and thereafter transfer the ink to the printing plates on the plate cylinder. to As is usual, the distributing drum in is rotatably "mounted in the side frames II which are connected together by a spacing member ii.

The inking device comprises a trough 20 which may be formed of sheet metal and is open at its top. 'Ihis trough is supported between end plates 2| having angled bases resting on the cross base l2, each base having provided with apertures 22 by which it is bolted to the spacing member l2,

and apertures 22 are preferably slotted so that the inking device may be positioned properly with reference to the distributing drum l8. A shaft 24 is rotatably mounted in bearings 28 formed in the end plates 2 I, and shaft 24 is preferably-axially movable parallel to the axis of the distributing drum l8. Means are provided for removing ink from the trough 28 and for transferring it to the surface .of the distributing drum i8, said means comprising a member having continuous rotary, ink-conveying surface contact with the distributing drumat a plurality of points, these ink conveying contacts also having movement along the ink drum. In the form shown in Figs. 1 to 5, these means comprise a plurality of spaced-apart circular members having a relatively narrow edge, such as the discs 28, which are mounted on and secured to shaft 24. Discs 28 are held'spaced apart by set screws 28', while sleeves 28 are held in assembled. relation between the discs 28 and at the ends by means of the collars 88. The number of discs and width of the spaces may be suitably varied to meet different operating conditions.

For rotating discs 28, there is provided a friction pulley 82, adapted to contact with an uninked portion of the. distributing drum l8, and pulley 82 is mountedat one end of the shaft 24 outside of the inking trough. Pulley 82 is preferably of substantially the same diameter as discs 28 so that when the device is in operative position, with pulley 82 in contact with the'surface of the'drum I8, discs 28 are only in light contact with the inldng portion of drum I8, and running at the same peripheral speed as drum I8.

For insuring a uniform transfer of ink from the trough to the surface of the inking drum l8, means are provided for removing substantially all of the ink from-the sides of discs 28. These means comprise blades 85, located between the discs 28 and of a width substantially the same as the spacing of the discs 28. They are fastened to the sleeves 28 and extending u wardly into slot 88 so as to prevent rotation of the sleeves 28 and blades '85. At their bottoms, sleeves 28 are provided with drain holes 88 through which accumulated ink may drain back intothe trough.

For regulating the quantity of ink retained on the peripheral surface of the discs 28; doctor blades 48 are provided which remove a variable amount of ink so as to regulate the amount of ink transferred to the drum l8. Blades 48 are fastened at one end between the plates 4| and 42, which are secured to the end plates 2|, while the other ends of the blades 48 may be variably spaced from the edge of discs 28 by means of the regulating screws- 48 threaded into plate 4| to contact with the upper surface of the blades. Slot 88 is formed by the forward edge of plate 4| and a bar 48 extending across parallelto the plate and retained on the end plates 2 lby means of the clamps 48.

To provide movement of the rotary, ink-conveying surface contacts along the drum l8, in the present embodiment, vibration of the discs 28 is provided to insure more uniform and better distribution of the ink on the surface of the drum and for this purpose the shaft 24 is formed with an endless reversing thread 88 near one end. Thread 88 coacts wltha dog 8| which is swive'ned in a block 82 secured'below the shaft so that the concave thread engaging face 88 of the dog engages 'ln the thread 88. As the shaft 24 rotates, the shaft and its supported discs 28 are first moved in one direction. and are then moved in the other direction to produce wavy lines of ink on thedrum l8. Preferably, the length of the threaded portion of shaft 24 is such that it corresponds to the spacing of the discs 28, thereby applying an equal amount of ink to each circumferential portion of drum II.

In the operation of this embodiment, the device is. positioned as shown in Figure 1, with the roller 82 in contact with an uninked portion of drum l8 and discs 28 contacting very lightly with the page widthof the drum to be used for inking. The trough 28 is filled with ink to the level shown the trough. Blades 48 remove excess ink fromthe peripheral surface of discs 28 and regulate the amount supplied to the plates. However.

due to the fact that a thick film of ink is regu-' lated, only a slight amount of power is required for the inking device and the regulation can be effected by coarse adjustment as is not the case with a conventional type of ink fountain.

Figures 6 and 7 illustrate a modified embodiment of the invention, in which the ink transferring memberhaving the .continuous rotary. ink-conveying surface contact with the ink drum is preferably frictionally driven, but does not dip into the ink in the trough. As embodied, the end plates 2|a, between which is supported the trough 28, rotatably support parallel shafts 88 On shaft 88 is mounted a fountain roller 82 which runs in the ink in the trough 28. As here exemplarily shown, the fountain roller is. provided with helical raised ribs 88. Intermediate the fountain roller member having'continuous rotary surface con-. tact with both at a plurality of spaced-apart points to convey ink from the fountain roller to the drum. As embodied, a shaft 8| carries a similar roller 84 with helical ribs 88. The peripheral surface of the helical ribs or projections 88 take 'in Fig. 1 by the dotted line, and the screws 48 andtheinkdrum l8isa.

the ink from the surface ofthe fountain roller to the helical form these contact points also move along the drum without reciprocatory movement. Rollers 82 and 84 are of equal length and diameter and the pitch of the helical members '88 and 88 are equal, but they are threaded in opposite directions so that the ribs 88 always contact with ribs 88. In the embodied form of means for varying the supply of ink, shafts 88 and 8| areintergeared by gears 88 and 81, and shaft 88 is slidable in its bearings, being held by and moved from one position to another by the pivoted, forked lever 88 engaging the groove on the end of gear 88. When the ribs 88 and 88 arein full contact with each other, the maximum amount of ink is transferred to the drum l8, but as they are moved out roller 2 is short enough to permit some axial movement between end plates Ila.

For securing uniformity in the inking, a blade ll projects laterally from a supporting rod ll 5 and bears against the face of helical ribs 83 tending to maintain auniform thickness of ink on the surface of the ribs.

The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific mechanisms shown and de- 10 scribed but departures may be madetherefrom.

within the scope of the accompanying claims without departing from the principles of the invention and without sacrificing its chief advantages. What I claim is:

l. A supplementary ink fountain including in combination a trough, a plurality of narrow faced members rotatable therein, a roller connected to rotate the members, said roller having at least a portion of its face lying on a line with the periphery of the narrow faced members whereby they may both be contacted with a rotating ink drum.

2. A supplementary ink fountain including in combination a trough, a plurality of narrow faced members rotatable therein, a roller connected to rotate the members", said roller being mounted at one end of the trough and being so positioned that it and the members may contact with a rotating ink drum and means for regulating the so ink retained on the surface of the drum prior to a the transfer of ink to the drum. 3. A supplementary ink fountain including in combination a trough, a plurality of narrow faced members rotatable therein, a roller connected to rotate the members, said roller mounted at one end of the trough and being so positioned that it and the members may contact with a rotating ink drum, means for regulating the ink retained on the surface of the drum'prior to the transfer 4b of ink to the drum, and means for removing ink from the side faces of the members.

4. In an inking device for printing presses, the combination of a distributing drum, a fountain adjacentthereto, said fountain having an ink trough, a plurality of discs mounted therein and contacting the drum, a shaft on which the discs are mounted and a roller to contact the drum and drive ,the discs;- r 5. In an inking device for printing presses, the combination of a distributing drum, a fountain trough adjacent the drum, rotatable members in the trough to transfer ink therefrom to the drum, and a roller fixed to said rotatable members and contacting the drum to drive the members from the drum.

6. In an inking device for printing presses, the combination of a distributing drum, a fountain trough adjacent the drum, rotatable members in the trough to transfer ink therefrom to the drum, so a roller fixed to said rotatable members and contacting the drum to drive the members from the drum,- and means for varying the amount of ink retained onthe rotatable members before transfer to the drum. 7

'5 '1. Inan inking device for printing presses, the

combination of a distributing drum, a fountain troughadjacentto the drum, narrow faced rotatable members in the trough to transfer ink therefrom to the drum, and a roller fixed to said 10 rotatable members and contacting .the drum to drive the members from the. drum;

8. In an inking device for printing premes, the combination of a distributing drum, a fountain trough adjacent the drlnn, rotatable-members 78 in the trough to' transferv therefrom to the drum, a roller fixed to said rotatable members and contacting the drum to drive the members from thedrum, and means for vibrating the rotatable members. 7

9. A supplementary ink fountain including in combination an ink distributing drum, an ink trough, a shaft therein, rotatable, spaced-apart narrow faced'members fast on the shaft, means for reciprocating the shaft and discs axially for substantially the length of a disc and-the ad- 10 jacent space, a friction pulley on the shaft and out of contact with the ink in the trough, said members and pulley being of substantially the same size.

10. A supplementary ink fountain including'in 15 combination an ink distributing drum, an ink trough, a shaft therein, rotatable, spaced-apart narrow faced members fast on the shaft, means for reciprocating theshaft and discs axially for substantially the length of a disc and the 211- so H jacent space, a friction pulley on the shaft and out of contact with the ink in the trough, said members and pulley being of substantially the same size, and means for axially moving the members as they rotate. 25

11. A supplementary ink fountain including in combination an ink distributing drum, an ink trough, a shaft therein, rotatable, spaced-apart narrow faced members fast on the shaft, means for reciprocating the shaft and discs axially for so substantially the length of a disc and the adjacent space, a friction pulley on'the shaft and out of contact with the ink in the trough, said members and pulley being of substantially the same size, and means for removing ink from the 35 surface of the members.

12. A supplementary ink fountain including in combination an ink distributing drum, an ink trough, a shaft therein, rotatable, spaced-apart narrow faced members fast on the shaft, means w for reciprocating the shaft and discs axially for substantially the lengthof a disc and the adjacent space, a friction pulley on the shaft and out of contact with the ink in the trough, said members and pulley being of substantially the a same size, and means for removing ink from the sides of the members.

13.A supplementary ink fountain including in combination an ink distributing drum,.an ink: trough, a shaft therein, rotatable, spaced-apart 0 narrow faced membersfast on thevshaft, means for reciprocating the shaft and discs axially for substantially the length of a disc and the ad-- jacent space, a friction pulley on the shaft'and other on the shaft and fast thereon, a friction pulley mounted on the shaft outside the fountain, said discs and pulley being adapted to contact witlil an ink drum andmeans for removing the surplus ink from thediscs prior to its transfer to Id. In an' inking? mechanism for printing pr in combination an ink distributing drum, a having an ink trough, a plurality of concentric spaced-apart discs running in said ink trough and with their peripheries in engagement ,with said ink drum, and meansfor rotating said discs and concurrently moving them axially along the ink drum.

16. In an inking mechanism for printing presses in combination an ink distributing drum,

a plurality'of concentric, spaced-apart circular discs Vhaving continuous smooth peripheries in contact with said ink distributing drum, means for supplying ink to the discs, means for rotating said discs at the same surfacespeed with said drum, and-means for concurrently. moving said discs along the drum.

17. In an inking attachment for printing presses, in combination, an ink distributing drum, a fountain having an ink trough, a rotating member immersed in the inkin the fountain, means for regulating the amount of ink transferred from the rotating member, rotary means'for receiving ink from the rotating member and for transferring it to the drum in the form of a plurality of narrow stripes, and causing the narrow stripes of ink to be moved axially of the drum,

member immersed in the ink in the fountain,

means for regulating the amount of ink transferred from the rotating member, rotary means for receiving ink from the rotating member and for transferring it to the drum in the form of a plurality of narrow stripes, and causing the narrowv stripes of ink to move axially of the drum,

. a friction drive to contact with the ink distribut ing drum, said rotating member and rotary means being driven together from the ink dis tributing drum by the friction drive.

" 19. A readily removable, supplementary ink 'fountaigiunittosupplyinktotheinkdistributing drumo a printing press includlngincomblnation a fountain having an ink trough, a rotating member immersed in the ink in the vfountain, means for regulating the amount of ink transferred from the rotating member, rotary means for receiving ink from the rotating member and for transferring it to the drum in the form of a plurality of narrow-stripes. a friction drive to contact with the ink distributing .drum, said rotating member and rotary means being driven together with the ink distributing drum bythe.

friction drive.

20. A readily removable, supplementary ink fountain unit to supply ink to the ink distributing drum of a printing press includingincombination member immersed in the ink in the fountain, means for regulating the amount of ink transferred from the rotating member, rotary means for receiving ink from the rotating-member and a fountain having an ink trough, a rotating for transferring it to the drum in the form of a plurality of narrow stripes, and friction means on said rotary transfermeans engageable with thesurface of the ink distributing drum at any place along its length for driving the rotating member and rotary means from the ink distributing drum.

21. A readily removable, supplementary ink fountain unit to supply ink to the ink distributing drum of a printing press includingincombination a fountain having -an ink trough, a rotating member immersed in the ink in the fountain,

rotary means for receiving ink from the rotating member and for transferring it to the drum in the form of a plurality :of narrow stripes, a friction drive to contact with the ink distributing drum, said rotating member and rotary means being driven together with the ink distributing drum by the friction drive.

AUBURN TAYLOR. 

